In 2009, while we were raising three young children ages 4, 6, and 9, my wife Elizabeth was diagnosed with stage three Non-Hodgins Follicular Lymphoma. After several batteries of tests, she was referred to Emory to participate in a clinical trial. We were in shock. We couldn't believe that this was happening to her and to our family. Why was this happening? What would we do? How would we cope? How would our children cope? Would she survive? How could this happen to us!?

Many of us can relate to what Solomon wrote, "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth" (Eccl. 11:9). As young people and then as young families we often expect to be healthy and to not encounter any major illnesses. We convince ourselves that it only happens to older people (Eccl. 12:1-7). But what do you do when you are suddenly faced with an unexpected illness, one that is life-changing or even life-threatening?

Prepare for the Storm

All of us are going to face challenges and trials in this life. When those times come, only God has the power and the wisdom to guide us through them. When those times come, your faith is tested. When cancer struck our family, we had built up a strong faith in God and Christ. We had established a strong relationship with our brethren.

Before the storm strikes you, devote yourself to loving God with all your heart. Draw closer to Him through study and prayer. Develop a stronger faith in Him and a deeper love and appreciation for what He has done for you and what He has promised to do for you in Christ (Rom. 5:8; 8:31-32). Build better relationships with your brethren. If you constantly build and strengthen your faith and your relationships with God and with His people before the storms of life assail you, you will be prepared because you will have built your foundation on the rock. You will not be moved or shaken by them (Matt. 7:24-27).

Live in the Moment

One of the pitfalls of being young is believing you will live forever. It is easy to take everything for granted, like time with your spouse and with your kids. You believe you will always have tomorrow. But the truth is we don't know what tomorrow will bring. God teaches us that life is only a vapor (Jas. 4:13-15). The Lord could return at any time. Our lives could end at any time.

Embracing the brevity of life helps you embrace the urgency of the moment and appreciate everything God gives you. After my wife's diagnosis, we got in the habit of reminding one another, "Don't give cancer this moment. Don't give cancer this day." Take advantage of every moment you have. Don't leave the house without that hug or kiss. Take the time you have been given with your spouse and children every day to do the most good you can for them, for God, and for others.

Look Beyond the Moment

Sometimes, however, you struggle to live in the moment. You may suffer with anxiety and depression. Illness and treatment can make you weak and make you want to give up. You wonder if life will ever be the same again. You wonder if it will ever be normal again. There have been days like that in our house, too.

In time likes those, you have to learn to look beyond the moment. We need to remember that no suffering in this life lasts forever, and especially for the Christian. For us, every day brings hope for a better day tomorrow even if this life comes to an end (Phil. 1:21; 2 Cor. 5:1-10). Even when you are ill, you can serve others. In the hospital, Beth asked her nurses about what was happening in their lives. You can still show your concern and love for others and pray for others. You teach others by how you face your illness. Focusing on others instead of your suffering can help you look beyond the moment.

Rely on God Instead of Yourself

Paul once wrote of a deadly peril he experienced in Asia. He saw a purpose to it. It made him rely on God and not himself (2 Cor. 1:8-10). When things are going well it is easy to get comfortable and become complacent. We rejoice in the good health and the good blessings that God has given, and we can easily become confident that we have everything under control. We take our health and prosperity for granted. But then tragedy strikes, and we realize that we don't have everything under control. We realize we are helpless. We realize again that we really need God. We need Him every day and every hour.

One of the greatest blessings we experienced from Beth's cancer was learning to rely on God more. You learn to appreciate how much He loves and cares for you. Beth's illness brought a newfound appreciation to Peter's instructions to cast all your cares on God because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:6-7). You learn to pray to Him like you never prayed before. The fervent prayers and weeping of Hannah, David, Hezekiah, Jesus and others take on new meaning when you are brought to the place where you realize no doctor, no medicine, no one but God can help you (1 Sam. 1:5-10; 2 Sam. 12:16-17; 2 Kings 20:1-5). You learn to lean on God and to draw on His strength like you never did before (Eph. 6:10). God provides comfort through His word and through prayer. God provides comfort through the love and support of His people (1 Cor. 12:26; Rom. 12:15; 2 Cor. 1:3-4). We have been and continue to be overwhelmed by God's love and care and by the love His people show when someone is experiencing trials, whether it is illness or some other trial.

Be Grateful for the Trials and the Blessings

During that first bout, Beth's cancer went into spontaneous regression. We rejoiced! We wept! We praised God! We were so happy that she had been spared. We were so happy that our children would have their mother healthy and whole again. Times like that make it easy to be grateful and to thank God.

But what about those dark days since the cancer returned this past year? What about the ups and downs on our journey with cancer - those days of enduring biopsies, scans, and blood work and anxiously waiting for the results? Those are hard days, but my wife's unexpected illness has brought us closer to God. It has increased our reliance on Him and strengthened our faith. No wonder James said to count it all joy when we are faced with trials (James 1:2-4). Like Job, we learned to thank God for the blessings and the trials (Job 1:20-21). It is easy to thank God when things are well, but not so easy when things are difficult.

Today we are once again experiencing God's grace during trial. God is comforting us again through His word and through our prayers and the prayers of His saints. He is comforting us again through the love and care of His people. Beth's prognosis is good; she is undergoing treatment and is doing well. But unexpected illness can happen to anyone. None of us are guaranteed a life free from trial or struggle. But thanks be to God that He can turn the darkest hour into light. He can turn suffering into a blessing if we will only trust Him and walk with Him. May God help us to rely on Him and trust Him in good times and bad.

- Truth Magazine, April 2018